Police in the Russian city of St. Petersburg have seized a painting from a local gallery depicting President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in women's underwear.

The police service said it had taken paintings from the Museum of Power gallery, based in two rooms of an apartment, late on August 26 after receiving reports they were illegal.

It gave no further details, but legislation criminalizes the insulting of Russian authorities -- an offense that carries a maximum one-year prison term.

Sources at the gallery reportedly said police also removed a picture of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, with his torso covered in tattoos, as well as two others making fun of lawmakers who have backed legislation banning so-called gay propaganda.

Domestic and international pressure have mounted against the antigay laws adopted in Russia recently, including some calls for boycotting next year's Sochi Winter Olympics.